Training Contracts

A unique partnership

You

We look for people who want to work in a challenging, yet rewarding and friendly environment. We expect you to develop quickly, demonstrating strong intellectual ability, the maturity to take early responsibility, and to play an active part in the teams you join. We expect you to invest the same commitment, energy and enthusiasm that we invest in you.

And Us

From health and social care providers and commissioners, to the diverse range of charities and social enterprises we advise, Hempsons’ clients “make a difference”. How do we help? By providing the in-depth sector expertise, insight and legal guidance our clients need to develop their services and thrive in their ever more competitive and challenging environments.

With over 450 health and social care clients across all sectors and over a hundred other charity and social enterprise clients nationwide, Hempsons’ lawyers are involved in many of the UK’s most important deals and litigation cases.

A significant number of our senior management team partners trained here at Hempsons, so we understand how vital our trainees are to continued profitable growth and the provision of a strong base for the Hempsons partners of the future.

Our values:

Expert: we know the law; we have great know-how; we know our clients’ businesses; we are innovative in the solutions we find for them.
Insightful: we understand our clients, and developments in their markets; we are confident in our own value and the value of the advice we give.
Commercial: we provide positive solutions for clients (“Yes you can!”);we work profitably; we understand our clients’ finances; we provide realistic cost estimates.
Trustworthy: we provide robust advice; our systems protect confidential data; we are not only honest and accountable but also understand our clients’ aims, objectives and goals; compliance is established in our culture.
We care: we are passionate about our clients’ success and will strive for it; we are tenacious in protecting our clients’ interests; we look after our colleagues; we treat people fairly; we care about the quality of our work; we care about the environment.

Our approach

We make sure our clients get to know all members of the team handling their work so they can be confident the whole team is familiar with their specific needs and requirements. We will expect you to play an active part, learning from all members of the team and becoming familiar with their different working methods; working on files; attending in-house lectures; assisting at client seminars; and generally acting as a full and effective member of the team. You will change team each time you change seat, maximising your exposure to the widest possible range of experience and expertise.

Over the course of your training contract you will develop an understanding of how Hempsons blends experience, skill and commitment with effective management and staff development systems, to deliver an impressive level of service to our clients.

Seat availability

Typically, our trainees undertake four 6-month seats. Dependent on location, availability and each trainee’s interests, the choice of seats includes:

• Defendant clinical negligence
• Real estate
• Employment
• Healthcare regulatory
• Healthcare advisory
• Corporate commercial
• Mental health
• Charities
• Construction
• Procurement

The working environment

We recognise that trainees need opportunities to test their ever-increasing skills and knowledge in live situations, knowing that they do so in a supportive and protective environment where there is an effective safety net in place. That’s why every trainee sits with a partner or senior solicitor who supervises work and monitors development for the duration of each seat. You will learn practical skills such as drafting; letter writing; taking statements; interviewing witnesses; preparing for court; meeting with clients; handling telephone enquiries; dictating; and file administration, all under the guidance of highly experienced solicitors.

You’ll receive regular feedback as well as a formal mid- and end-seat review with your seat supervisor. Each office has a training programme partner who takes responsibility for trainees in that particular location. They will meet regularly with you and liaise with each seat supervisor, ensuring that you are exposed to the correct balance and volume of work. In addition to the seat reviews and quarterly meetings with the training programme partner, your HR representative and buddy will always be on hand to ensure your training contract experience with Hempsons is the best it can be.

1. How many training contracts do you offer?

This will depend on business needs, but we typically offer eight training contracts per year: one in each of our Harrogate, London, Manchester and Newcastle offices.

2. Are you currently offering training contracts and what is the application process?

Training contract opportunities are advertised on our website vacancies page,

All applicants should apply via the Applicant Tracking System on our website.

3. What salary do you pay?

Our trainee salaries are competitive and are reviewed annually. Currently our (gross) annual trainee salaries are:

London

Year 1 – £37,000

Year 2 – £39,000

Harrogate, Manchester, Newcastle & Southampton

Year 1 – £29,000

Year 2 – £31,000

4. What are your trainee retention rates?

We will always endeavour to retain our trainees on qualification and retention rates are good. In 2021 we achieved a 100% success rate.

5. Do you favour applications from any particular universities?

No, we welcome applications from graduates of any discipline, from any background, university and GDL provider.

6. What do I do if I am unsuccessful during the application process?

If you are unsuccessful during the application process and wish to reapply you can do so in the next recruitment season. In the meantime, we encourage you to spend time strengthening your application and acting on any feedback provided.

7. I require the application form in an alternative format, what do I do?

Please contact our HR team on erec@hempsons.co.uk providing details of the format you require.

8. What is the induction like when I start my training contract?

You will be given a detailed induction programme, trained to use our IT and library systems, and to develop your understanding of the firm, the different practice areas, support services and the trainee role in general.

9. What other training will I receive during my training contract?

During each seat you will attend trainee-specific technical training sessions. In addition, you will be expected to complete the Legal Practice Course as required by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority.

10. What other support is available to me during my training contract?

Throughout the period leading up to the start of your training contract and also throughout your two-year training at Hempsons the HR team are always on hand to help in any way. In addition you will receive day-to-day support from your supervisor and quarterly meetings with your local training programme partner. Also, all trainees are allocated a “buddy” who will help you settle into the firm.

In all of our office locations we promise an open door policy for all, which creates a personal, friendly, team-based work ethos providing excellent support to all staff. The nature of the work we do makes all our offices an exciting place to be, as well, which we think makes Hempsons the ideal working environment for trainees to flourish.

London

Employing over 90 staff, the London office moved to its Wood Street location in 2018. Conveniently located in the City near Cannon Street mainline, and Bank, Moorgate and other tube stations, it is within easy reach of a number of London’s attractions.

Manchester

We originally opened our Manchester office in 1990. In September 2023, we moved to Windmill Green on Mount Street, close to the Midland Hotel and the Manchester Central exhibition centre.

Harrogate

The Harrogate office opened in 1996 and currently employs over 80 staff. Our newly refurbished offices, close to Harrogate railway station, make it an easy commute from Leeds, York and the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. Harrogate is a famous spa town with excellent shopping, museums and a growing café bar culture.

Newcastle

Our fast-growing Newcastle office opened in 2009 and is situated in the city centre about a five-minute walk from Central Station, close to shops and restaurants. With health and social care, real estate. commercial and clinical negligence specialists, the office boasts stunning views of the Tyne and its bridges and is very close to Newcastle’s famous Quayside

Southampton

Our newest office opened in Southampton in October 2021, headed up by Bryn Morgan, healthcare real estate specialist. The addition of our Southampton office strengthens our position as a leading national firm and is an important step on the way to achieving the long-term goals we have set for ourselves both within the GP sector and across our wider client base.